Asimakis "Alfa" Pagidas studied marine biology at UC Santa Cruz, and holds an MA in philosophy from University of Lancaster (UK). He has a wide range of experience and skills, ranging from scientific fieldwork (expedition organization, research vessel operator, article writing), academic philosophy (phenomenology) as well as animal training (marine mammals and canines). More recently, he has been exclusively involved in full time writing and independent film production in Los Angeles. He also takes dog packs up mountains and runs wild.